Hillary Clinton petitions Congress for Zika funding

The administration’s request for $1.9 billion in emergency Zika funding remains stalled in the Senate. A week prior, Democratic Presidential frontrunner, Hillary Clinton went to Change.org to encourage the Congress to approve these funds.

Image/Donkey Hotey

In an op-ed published last week, Clinton writes: “I recently asked two of my senior campaign advisers to go to Puerto Ricoto learn more about how Zika is affecting the island and what we can do to mitigate an outbreak. One thing was clear from their discussions with local health and government officials, visits to impacted neighborhoods, and observations at women’s health clinics: We need more resources to stop the spread of this disease.

“We need to do everything we can to fight Zika—but we can’t do that without adequate resources. Congress should immediately provide emergency funding for Zika testing and treatment, mosquito control, family planning, and to support maternal and infant health.”

Two months ago, President Obama requested emergency funds to fight Zika. In recent weeks, he announced that he would re-direct Ebola funds for this purpose. This is an important first step, but it’s not enough. Congress must immediately act and provide needed emergency funds so the President and his Administration have all the tools they need to address Zika both here and abroad.

And we must demand that action. Add your name and call on Congress to address this public health crisis by immediately providing emergency funds to fight the Zika virus.